"No," he said, bluntly. "Messer Hugolin could not see his way to anything."
Her pride came to her aid. "Oh, it does not matter," she said, and so indifferently that Constans was deceived.
"But you cannot stay here," he insisted—"here among the Doomsmen."
"They are my father's people, and you have just told me that my uncle Hugolin does not want me."
"And what does Quinton Edge desire of you?" he asked.
"I do not know," she answered, returning his gaze fearlessly, whereof Constans was glad, although he could not have told her why.
"Yet you are a prisoner?"
"It seems so, and my sister Nanna as well. But we have nothing of which to complain, and doubtless our master will acquaint us with his pleasure in good time."
"It is always that way," said Constans, bitterly. "His will against mine at every turn; a rock upon which I beat with naked hands."
"He is a strong man," answered Esmay, thoughtfully, "but I think I know where his power lies. It is simply that neither his friends nor his enemies are aware of how they stand with him."